House reps request GAO review of two hours-of-service studies

Washington – Members of the House have requested that the Government Accountability Office evaluate two studies that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has used to justify changes to trucker hours-of-service regulations.

In a March 31 letter, Reps. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Tom Petri (R-WI) noted that truck drivers and carriers have expressed concern over the impact of the HOS changes that went into effect in July 2013. FMCSA limited truckers’ ability to “reset” their weekly driving hours by resting for 34 continuous hours to only once per week, and as long as the restart includes two periods between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Stating that it is important for regulatory changes that affect businesses to be based on fair and valid research, the reps asked that GAO review the underlying methodology and data used in a study released Jan. 30 that claims the restart restrictions increase drivers’ restful sleep and improves reaction times and safety.

Shuster and Petri also requested GAO examine whether the Regulatory Impact Analysis FMCSA used to justify the changes was based on appropriate data and reasonable assumptions about the expected health benefits.

GAO had not responded to the request as of press time.